PV Sindhu’s campaign at the Singapore Badminton Open 2026 ended in the quarterfinals after she lost to world No. 1 An Se Young 21-17, 21-14, extending her winless streak against the Korean to nine matches.
Sindhu displayed flashes of her attacking brilliance and tried to dictate rallies early, but An’s superior control and precision proved decisive. The Koreans dominated crucial points and sealed the match in 48 minutes to advance to the semifinals.
Meanwhile, India’s men’s doubles pair Satwiksairaj Rankireddy and Chirag Shetty fought back from a game down to defeat Malaysia’s Khai Xing Kang and Aaron Tai 19-21, 21-17, 21-13 in a one-hour contest. The Asian Games champions will face top seeds Kim Won Ho and Seo Seung Jae of Korea next.
Sindhu’s defeat highlighted her ongoing struggle against An, who has lost only one match this year. Despite her aggressive intent and powerful smashes, Sindhu failed to sustain pressure as An’s deft placement and retrieval skills dictated the pace.
Satwik and Chirag’s victory, however, kept India’s hopes alive in the tournament. Their resilience and tactical adjustments after the first game showcased their growing maturity on the world stage.
